My son, if sinners entice you, Do not consent.

If they say, “Come with us, Let us lie in wait to shed blood; Let us lurk secretly for the innocent without cause;

The Value of Wisdom

My son, if you receive my words, And treasure my commands within you,

Yes, if you cry out for discernment, And lift up your voice for understanding,

If you seek her as silver, And search for her as for hidden treasures;

Do not strive with a man without cause, If he has done you no harm.

Dangerous Promises

My son, if you become surety for your friend, If you have shaken hands in pledge for a stranger,

People do not despise a thief If he steals to satisfy himself when he is starving.

If you are wise, you are wise for yourself, And if you scoff, you will bear it alone.”

If the righteous will be recompensed on the earth, How much more the ungodly and the sinner.

The silver-haired head is a crown of glory, If it is found in the way of righteousness.

A man of great wrath will suffer punishment; For if you rescue him, you will have to do it again.

For it is a pleasant thing if you keep them within you; Let them all be fixed upon your lips,

If you have nothing with which to pay, Why should he take away your bed from under you?

And put a knife to your throat If you are a man given to appetite.

Do not withhold correction from a child, For if you beat him with a rod, he will not die.

My son, if your heart is wise, My heart will rejoice—indeed, I myself;

If you faint in the day of adversity, Your strength is small.

If you say, “Surely we did not know this,” Does not He who weighs the hearts consider it? He who keeps your soul, does He not know it? And will He not render to each man according to his deeds?

So shall the knowledge of wisdom be to your soul; If you have found it, there is a prospect, And your hope will not be cut off.

If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat; And if he is thirsty, give him water to drink;

If a wise man contends with a foolish man, Whether the fool rages or laughs, there is no peace.

If a ruler pays attention to lies, All his servants become wicked.

Who has ascended into heaven, or descended? Who has gathered the wind in His fists? Who has bound the waters in a garment? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is His name, and what is His Son’s name, If you know?

If you have been foolish in exalting yourself, Or if you have devised evil, put your hand on your mouth.